Indonesia can be proud because domestically made Merah Putih Laptops have become a digital solution for education and are distributed to various campuses throughout Indonesia. Merah Putih Laptop, which was developed in a consortium with several campuses, has various advantages, including its capable internal capacity. Electrical Engineering of The Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Lecturer Ahmad Affandi introduced this product at the Hakteknas Exhibition, Wednesday (10/8).

This production increases the Domestic Capacity Level (TKDN) as a strategic project funded by the state. According to Ahmad, the majority of universities do not have experience in calculating TKDN and electronic processes. New universities are used to realizing production in limited quantities. In the future, this laptop is expected to be mass-produced. "If you want this product to be able to compete, then you must be willing to produce in millions," said Ahmad.

The research has begun with laptops and Merah Putih tablets. The important aspects to consider are the laptop specification, design, and preparing the plan.

“This laptop is also considering production and we have to follow the industry flow of how this laptop is made. There are certifications for mobile service, Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), and TKDN certification," continued Ahmad.

In the Merah Putih Laptop consortium, ITS chose to make electronic equipment, because the number of demands is quite a lot. It is expected that if there is funding in the future, it will increase the TKDN of the Merah Putih Laptop.

In the manufacture of this laptop, ten Certified Independent Internship and Student (MSIB) participants from across campuses were also included, namely ITS, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and Telkom University. Students included are facilitated by training from the industry so that they have the experience that can be useful in the future. It is hoped that this laptop will not only stop at one research but also create a product that is collaborative with the industry until it gets a license.

 “The Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology has shown that universities are capable of carrying out projects and have been able to cope with programming problems because it has been studying the subject for more than a year. This activity has received certification and to develop this project, it depends on how to coordinate it with the government, business and education so that this cycle continues," concluded Ahmad.